Illinois Tales....Chapter 1 :-)

As most of you are aware, Zoe and I have just spent the last 8 days in Illinois, and boy did we have fun!  We visited museums and historical sites, chased down squirrels, froze to death, and partied it up with our family.


Day one consisted of TONS of travel time.  It is a 3 hour flight from Phoenix to St. Louis, and then a 1 and half hour drive from St. Louis to Virden.  Needless to say, we accomplished eating at DiCarlo's for lunch (YUMMY), having supper in Carlinville at Ryan's Pub, and a trip to Walmart for a coat....yup...totally forgot a friggin coat...and it was so cold that I was more than ok with buying one at Walmart.  Zoe and Lonnie also managed to squeeze in some target practice and a motorcycle ride, but we were in bed snoozing away by 8:00pm.

I so wish daddy could see this picture

Day two we were up early and ready to begin our adventure.  We started by heading to Lincoln's Tomb.  I absolutely love it there.  It is beautiful and peaceful, and it's the only graveyard I can go in without getting major anxiety.   This place reminds me so much of my daddy, and there is nothing wrong with that :-)

Zoe in New Salem

Next we traveled over to New Salem.  Now this place is full of memories for me, and I was so happy to add a trip there with Zoe to my files.  I so wish I had a picture of her face when Lonnie explained why there were corncobs in the outhouse :-)

Zoe and I were then introduced to Steak and Shake for an early supper.  It's definitely not my favorite, but it also didn't make me barf.  I will say that they make wicked big shakes, and offer you a very large "to go" cup of soda when you leave.  Nothing like porking up middle America :-)  Thanks for keeping me in business Steak and Shake.

And now...this is where I leave Zoe with Lonzo for an adult night on the town with Kim...

We headed to downtown Springfield for some early St. Patty's day celebrations.  I have two things to report...1. it was CRAZY hot in the bar and CRAZY cold outside which left me wondering how in the hell you function in a place where coats are necessary every time you step outside.  I finally opted to leave the coat in the car and haul ass back to the bar (this really, really sucked)....and 2. boys in Springfield are just as annoying as boys in Arizona, however, the girls in Springfield...praise be to ya ladies...you are super nice and full of class to be certain!!  I really had an outstanding time!



Stay tuned for more stories from the dark farm readers...day three here we come!